Financial Services

Union perseverance in the 21st century

January 16, 2017

North America

January 16, 2017

North America
Veronica Lara

Senior Editor, Americas

Veronica is a senior editor for The Economist Intelligence Unit's thought leadership division in New York. She specialises in market environment topics and trends that cut across industries, including the future of work, technological disruption, and economic competitiveness. In addition to these areas, she has led projects on advancements in manufacturing, historic energy demand trends, and socioeconomic topics such as organised labour, post-war impact investing and growth of cities.

Until July 2014 Veronica was the EIU's commerce and regulations analyst for 29 countries, mostly in the emerging markets. She has written for various EIU publications, on subjects such as financial inclusion, international trade, and policies aimed at attracting investment and promoting innovation.

Veronica holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in international relations from New York University and the University of Pennsylvania, respectively. Before joining the EIU, she covered industries as diverse as defense, logistics and mining for a research advisory firm.

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In September 2016 The Economist Intelligence Unit conducted a survey, sponsored by Prudential, exploring the key concerns and aspirations of union members.

Recognizing these challenges and areas for progress, The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) sought to better understand the dynamics that define the landscape of American union workers today and in the years ahead. In research conducted in September 2016 and sponsored by Prudential, we surveyed 1,573 active U.S. union members aged 18 and over, working in 15 different industries. The survey sample includes members of the millennial, Generation X and baby boomer generations. The respondents are about 58% male, and nearly half have earned or are in the process of completing a four-year college degree or higher. Nearly 90% work full-time, approximately two-thirds have been union members for ten years or more, and slightly more than half live in suburban areas.

The survey sample includes members of the millennial, Generation X and baby boomer generations. The respondents are about 58% male, and nearly half have earned or are in the process of completing a four-year college degree or higher. Nearly 90% work full-time, approximately two-thirds have been union members for ten years or more, and slightly more than half live in suburban areas. The survey resulted in three overarching findings: (1) there is a generational disconnect among union members; (2) millennials have higher expectations of unions and the overall workplace; and (3) unions can improve engagement by offering training and taking new approaches to meet member needs. How unions and the society at large respond will determine the future prospects for both union and non-union workers.

 

Read the executive summary, written by the EIU and sponsored by Prudential >>

 

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